短 編 小 説(たんぺんしょうせつ)

たんぺんしょうせつ

noun

short story; short fiction

1. short story; short fiction

A work of fiction that is shorter than a novel, typically focusing on a single plot or theme. Generally under about 100 pages.

短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を書(か)く。

To write a short story.

この作家(さっか)は短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)が得意(とくい)だ。

This author excels at short stories.

彼女(かのじょ)の短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)集(しゅう)が文学賞(ぶんがくしょう)を受賞(じゅしょう)した。

Her collection of short stories won a literary prize.

Composed of 短編(たんぺん) (short piece) + 小説(しょうせつ) (novel, fiction). Refers to fictional prose that is significantly shorter than a novel, usually focused on a single episode or theme.

Common collocations

短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)集(しゅう): short story collection
短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を書(か)く: to write a short story
短編小説(たんぺんしょうせつ)を読(よ)む: to read a short story

Related words

長編小説(ちょうへんしょうせつ): full-length novel
中編小説(ちゅうへんしょうせつ): novella, medium-length fiction
掌編小説(しょうへんしょうせつ): flash fiction, very short story
短編(たんぺん): short piece (can refer to short stories, films, etc.)

Usage

Often abbreviated to just 短編(たんぺん) in conversation when the context makes it clear that fiction is being discussed.

Related Words

Related: 長編小説(ちょうへんしょうせつ) (full-length novel)

general

Added 2026.3.31 1:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

20500/20776_tanpenshousetsu